R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 4/24/2021 + 1453 more book reviews

View this adventure of Mavin Manyshaped through the eyes of Beedie Bridger who Mavin calls "Sausage-Girl" throughout the novel. Mavin has come here searching for her long lost sister, Handbright, who vanished when she flew from their shape shifter home. It is fifteen years since the two left. Mavin has continued searching, now flying across the sea to where there are no games.

The giant chasm she finds is filled with roots in which numerous cities have been built on bridges perched on vines linking it all together. Numerous stairs connect the cities of a layered society. Here, at last, she finds her sister involved with a complex political situation and a power struggle between the society's factions.

With Beedie's help, Mavin seeks to free her sister. She is a member of one of the communities.
Mavin, however, reveals her shape shifter talent to no one else. In their efforts to free Handbright, Mavin and Beedie decide to go to the chasm bottom to determine what or who is eating tree roots supporting the cities. They are accompanied by Roges of the Maintainer caste, and Mercald, a Birder-priest who has gotten Handbright pregnant. The group encounters the Thinker who mostly helps them along their trek.

Tepper's lilting wonderfully flowing writing makes her fantasy so appealing to readers like me. So compelling so that you want to read ever more of it. The complexity of Mavin's character adds dimension to the read. She is kind, resourceful, clever and problem solving is her forte. In short this is another fun fantasy from a highly talented author!

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